Wike moves against Fubara, vows to expose Rivers peace deal terms, rallies support for Tinubu

By Johnson Arua

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has said he will soon make public the details of the peace agreement reached between him and the Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, before President Bola Tinubu, amid the lingering political crisis in the state.

Wike made the disclosure on Wednesday during separate “thank-you visits” to Tai and Eleme Local Government Areas of Rivers State, accusing Governor Fubara of reneging on the agreement brokered by President Tinubu in June.

According to Wike, the peace deal was aimed at ending the prolonged political tension in Rivers, but alleged that the governor had failed to honour its terms.

He warned residents against supporting politicians who do not keep their promises, stressing that such individuals should not be trusted in the name of politics. “Very soon, we will let people know what we agreed on before Mr President,” Wike said, adding that the people of Rivers were prepared to reclaim their mandate in the 2027 general elections.

The FCT minister declared that money would not determine electoral outcomes in Rivers State, insisting that the will of the people would prevail.

He said there was no going back on the decision to “restore power to Rivers people” in 2027, which includes supporting President Tinubu’s re-election for a second term and correcting what he described as a leadership mistake at the state level. “We have made a decision, and we are not going back. Nobody will intimidate us,” Wike stated.

Explaining the purpose of his visits, Wike said he was in the local government areas to appreciate the people for their support for him and President Tinubu during the 2023 general elections. He noted that their support had yielded tangible benefits, including the siting of a federal university in Tai Local Government Area and other developmental projects.

He also praised Tinubu for appointing him as the first South-South indigene to serve as Minister of the FCT, describing the ongoing development in the area as unprecedented.

Earlier, Senator Barry Npigi (APC–Rivers South-East) commended President Tinubu and Wike for their support to the senatorial district, saying the people had never had it so good.

Similarly, the lawmaker representing Tai Constituency in the Rivers State House of Assembly, Mr Bernard Nbar, assured Wike of the continued support of his constituents, while the Chairman of Tai Local Government Council, Mbakpone Okpe, described Wike’s directive to support Tinubu in 2023 as a blessing that had brought appointments, infrastructure, and empowerment to the area.

In Eleme Local Government Area, lawmakers and council officials also pledged loyalty to Wike. Chief Aforji Igwe, representing Eleme in the Rivers State House of Assembly, described the minister as fair and just, while the Chairman of Eleme Council, Chief Obarilormate Ollor, commended his infrastructural interventions during his tenure as governor.

Ollor said the people were ready to support Tinubu’s re-election and were awaiting Wike’s directive ahead of the 2027 governorship election.